The Morning Call and Mcall.com's view

If you’re a true lover of German sports sedans, you’ve probably spent the best part of your life drooling after Bimmers or lusting after a Mercedes Benz. Even an Audi will fire the engines of automotive desire.

So, is the Volkswagen Jetta enough to satisfy your automotive appetite?

Look at what’s under the skin.

Redesigned last year, this car shares its basic underpinnings with the New Beetle, Golf and Audi TT. That last one isn’t exactly bad automotive lineage. Seems promising, right?

Then look down the list of available engines.

Standard is a 2-liter four-cylinder and 115 horsepower. Not exactly the soul-stirring power plant needed to excite the senses.

At the top of the range is the 174 horsepower VR6. An excellent engine, to be sure, but one that propels the price of this subcompact into the stratosphere (or at least well into Passat range.)

That’s what makes the 1.8 T engine just right.

It also allows this car to stand up alongside more expensive German cars without any apologies.

This is the same engine used in various applications throughout VW/Audi and seems ideally suited to this vehicle. Zero to 60 mph comes up in eight seconds and power is very strong. There’s no turbo lag, and a flat torque curve makes the engine feel larger than it truly is with good power no matter what the speed. Thank five-valves per cylinder and double-overhead-cams for all the power while returning good fuel economy.

Opt for the five-speed manual and those figures are 24 city, 31 highway. Go for the 4-speed automatic and that drops to 22 city and 28 highway. Expect to match easily these numbers.

When you order the 1.8 T, Volkswagen includes Anti-Slip Regulation (ASR) and an Electronic Differential Lock (EDL). Both systems work together when the weather gets rough. When wheels start to slip, brakes are applied to that particular wheel. In the meantime, throttle response is curtailed to prevent further slippage.

Handling is sweet, with a hint of body lean through corners and terrific agility. Ride is well controlled and firm without being harsh. It always fun to drive, something you’ll always look forward to. It’s just right, like the engine. This despite a beam axle rear suspension. Amazing.

Like more expensive German cars, the Jetta makes it easy to go about the business of driving. The wheel tilts and telescopes, and with firm, supportive seats, it’s easy for even long-legged drivers to find a good driving position. Room is plentiful up front, but being a subcompact, space in the rear is at a premium.

The gauges are typical (speed, tach, fuel and temperature), but prove easy to read, even at night with their red lighting. The audio system is easy to use and set just above the rotary gauges for the climate control. They’re lit in purple, lending the cabin an upscale, post-modern feel.

Ditto the quality of the materials used, which are the standard against which all cars should be judged.

Trim materials feel expensive for the class. Switchgear has an excellent tactile feel, and small touches like the dial-operated sunroof that allows the sunroof to be opened a precise amount, make this car so wonderful to live with on a daily basis.

Its exterior styling matches the functional European interior, with a clean modernism that’s at once a member of the VW/Audi family without being derivative of other cars. This is the first Jetta that doesn’t look like a Golf with a trunk tacked on the back (which is in reality what it is.) It has taut lines that mirror the car’s rigid chassis and taut handling.

Combined with a sweet engine, this car feels worthy of your hard-earned money.

While it won’t have you trading in the BMW 328, it’s close enough to wonder why you should spend more, especially when looking at how VW equips these cars. Standard gear includes front side airbags, eight-speak er AM/FM/casse tte audio system, four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, power locks, keyless entry, power, one-touch up and down windows, two power outlets and cruise control.

Prices start in the mid-teens for the base four-cylinder, with the test car basing at $19,200.

The test vehicle was nicely equipped, with $2,595 worth of options. It included a luxury package, Cold Weather Package (which included heated front seats, a warm thought on cold mornings) and a Monsoon audio system that sounded truly awesome.

Bottom line is $22,320. While this is pricey next to rivals such as the Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla (or even a base Passat), this car feels like it’s worth every cent.

Mileage was 22 mpg despite some hard driving. But this vehicle invites hard driving, just like its more expensive stable mates. That’s what makes the Jetta 1.8 T just right for the German car enthusiast without the Bimmer-sized budget.

You may stop drooling now.